Zoom.us offers easy-login, free HD video group calling

updated 10:45 am EDT, Fri August 24, 2012

by MacNN Staff

Cloud architecture prevents taxing users' machines

Zoom.us is a new service that is offering users free video calling through an existing Facebook or Google login, and works with Macs, PCs and iOS devices to offer high-quality video conferencing with up to 15 participants by leveraging its own servers to manage bandwidth and processing, meaning users' computers are not as heavily taxed.

Video calls can be initiated through the zoom.us website or by way of a mobile app available from the App Store. Invitees to video calls do not have to sign up with the service in order to join a video call meeting. The service competes with video calling services such as Skype, Google+ and ooVoo, though most of those services charge a small fee to enable group video calling. Apple's own FaceTime isn't really a competitor as it doesn't work with Windows, and is intended for one-on-one video calling only.

The company claims to offer 720p HD video quality on the calls using its own proprietary video technology, which also offers screen sharing and private text chatting. The service is pitched to both consumers who want to easily create or participate in an individual or group video call, and to businesses looking for an easy, free way to set up video conference calls that may involve a larger number of people.

The service's biggest selling point may be its simplicity. It doesn't require a separate login, making it easy for potential users to sign up. The company says the service works over both cellular and Wi-Fi connections, and lets members who initiate calls invite people without requiring them to download an app or become a member. The screen-sharing option can be used to share the whole screen or just a specific windows, such as a presentation.

Zoom.us's service is free of charge, and does not require Flash in either its mobile or website versions. Participants can be invited using ordinary email addresses, IM identities or a simple "meeting ID" URL so that they can join without logging in.

Because the majority of the processing is done on the server side, any iOS mobile device capable of running iOS 5 can utilize the service, and desktops need only a modern web browser. The company says the service is entirely free for now, but may switch to a paid model in the future based on time used.

Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal reviewed the service and recommended it, noting that there were some minor limitations (users on cell connections were a bit lower-quality than Wi-Fi connections, and Google only allows a subset of a user's full contact list to appear in the Zoom app). He also noted that screen sharing can be originated only from desktop or notebook computers, not mobile devices.

TAGS

0 Comments

Login Here

Please note that it takes a couple of minutes for new comments to be visible in this area.

&nbsp

Now AAPL Stock: The symbol you provided ("AAPL") doesn't appear to be registered

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer598d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

598d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry598d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting598d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage598d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor599d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE